Soda tax would worsen wealth inequality, Sanders says

Sen. Bernie Sanders really does not like Mayor Kenney's proposed tax on sugary sodas, arguing it would amount to an attack on the working poor.

And that is even though he loves the idea of universal pre-kindergarten, which the mayor wants to finance by means of the tax.

"I'll tell you why. Because it is a totally regressive tax and right now, at a time of massive income and wealth inequality, when the wealthy are getting wealthier-- many of them pay an effective tax rate lower than working people," Sanders said on NBC's Meet the Press.

"You have large multinational corporations not paying a nickel in federal taxes. That's where you get the money," the Vermont senator said. "Somebody's making $20,000 a year and they buy a bottle of soda, I don't think you charge them $0.30 more for that bottle of soda."

Hillary Clinton came out in support of the soda tax during a campaign stop in Philadelphia last week.

Chuck Todd, the host of the longest-running Sunday news show, pushed Sanders. "You must be against cigarette taxes, too," Todd said.

"There's a difference between cigarettes and soda," Sanders said. "I am aware of the obesity problem in this country…. But cigarettes are causing cancer, obviously, and a dozen other diseases. And there is almost the question as to why it remains a legal product in this country."​

Kenney's wants a 3-cents per ounce tax on all non-diet sodas, sweetened teas, sports drinks, sugary juice drinks and other beverages that contain added sugar. It would be levied on distributors of the drinks, but industry representatives have said that the added cost would be passed on to consumers.